Dubai population reaches 1.7 million in Q2

Dubai’s population increased 1.9 percent during the second quarter of 2009 as compared to the first quarter to reach 1.7 million, according to figures from the Dubai Statistics Centre,reports Reuters. The numbers contrast with the numerous reports which suggested that the emirate’s population would fall sharply because of the financial crisis.

In March this year, Egyptian bank EFG Hermes predicted that Dubai’s population would shrink by 17 percent in 2009, while UBS forecasted a drop of 8 percent.